Clay-colored thrush
The clay-colored thrush is a common Middle American bird of the thrush family. It is the national bird of Costa Rica, where it is well known as the yigüirro. Other common names include clay-colored robin.
Distribution and habitat
It ranges from South Texas to northern Colombia. West and north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, it is limited to the Atlantic slope, except for a population around Oaxaca City, Mexico that probably originates from escaped cage birds. In much of its range it is familiar in yards and gardens, similar to some other thrushes such as the American robin, the Eurasian blackbird, and the song thrush.Description
In general appearance and habits it resembles other Turdus thrushes such as the American robin. It is about the same length or slightly smaller:, and weighs on average. The plumage is brownish, somewhat lighter below than above, lightest on the flanks. Birds from humid regions are darker than those from dry regions. The throat is faintly streaked. Immature birds have faint mottling on the back and underparts. The bill is greenish-yellow with a dark base, the legs are pinkish or flesh-colored, and the irises are reddish—all useful identification points.Call
The song, rather low-pitched and with a slow steady tempo, consists of many slurred musical phrases which are often repeated irregularly. The tock flight call is like the American robin's but harsher. T. grayiAlexander Skutch, a naturalist and writer, described the birds call in his book, "A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica," as "a long-continued caroling of varied phrases, mostly rich and melodious, containing slurred whistles, warbles, short trills, and now and then dry, piercing notes. The song is said by local people to 'call the rains,' and has earned the yigüirro its status as Costa Rica's national bird.".